Nanocellulose - metal-organic framework (MOF) composites for efficient carbon dioxide capture and sequestration: a review.

Air pollution, a major global challenge, poses significant risks to human health and the environment. While various porous materials have been used to reduce pollutants, they have limitations. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) stand out due to their unique combination of organic and inorganic components, allowing precise tuning of their structure and functionality. With remarkable properties such as tunable pore sizes and high porosity, MOFs are highly effective for CO2 separation. However, their fragility has led to the integration of bio-based materials such as nanocellulose. Nanocellulose, known for its abundance, non-toxicity, renewability, excellent hydrophilicity, flexibility, strength and low cost, offers a promising support matrix for MOFs. Functionalising nanocellulose with MOFs (NC-MOFs) shows great promise in CO2 adsorption and separation, presenting a valuable approach to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions. This review summarises the properties and synthesis methods involving NC-MOFs, focusing on various types of nanocellulose and their efficiency in CO2 capture. It also explores the adsorption mechanisms and factors influencing the stability and capacity of NC-MOFs in gas capture. Furthermore, we discuss the current limitations and future opportunities of NC-MOFs in addressing global carbon emissions, emphasising their potential role in tackling one of the most critical environmental challenges of our time.